Genesis chapter 14. Perhaps you've read through this chapter, you're reading through Genesis and you get to Genesis 14 and you kind of go, what in the world is going on here? But I think as we see verses 1 through 17 actually play an important role when we understand Melchizedek. So Genesis chapter 14, we'll begin reading at verse 1.
And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar, Ariok, king of Elessar, and Kedorlaomer, king of Elam, and Tidal, king of nations, that they made war with Bera, king of Sodom, Bersha, king of Gomorrah, Shinnab, king of Adma, Shemeber, king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, that is, Zor. And all these joined together in the valley of Sidim, that is, the Salt Sea. Twelve years they served Kedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled. And in the fourteenth year of Kedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him came and attacked the Rephaim in Ashteroth-Qurnayim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh-Qiryathayim, and the Horites in their mountains of Seir, as far as Al-Puran, which is by the wilderness.
Then they turned back and came to Anmishpat, that is, Kadesh, and attacked all the country of the Amalekites and also the Amorites, who dwelt in Hazazon-Tamar. And the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Adma, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, that is, Zor, went out and joined together in the battle in the Valley of Sidim against Kedorlaomer, king of Elam, titled king of nations, Amraphel, king of Shinar, and Ariak, king of Elessar, four kings against five. Now the valley of Siddam was full of asphalt pits, and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled. Some fell there, and the remainder fled to the mountains.
Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. They also took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, for he dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Einar, and they were allies with Abram. Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his 318 trained servants who were born in his own house and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
He divided his forces against them by night. He and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hoba, which is north of Damascus. So he brought back all the goods and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people. And the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh, that is, the king's valley, after his return from the defeat of Keterlehomer and the kings who were with him.
Melchizedek as Priest of God Most High
Then Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine. He was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said, Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand. And he gave him a tithe of all.
Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, Give me the persons and take the goods for yourself. But Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have raised my hand to the Lord God most high, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, I have made Abram rich, except only what the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Let them take their portion. Amen.
Introduction
Well, just a bit of context before we jump right in here into Genesis chapter 14. Genesis chapter 11 verse 27 begins the story of Abraham as we look at, or as we see in Genesis 11, Abram. We see that he's from the line of Terah. And what's interesting, the writer wants us to see something when he describes the descendants in chapter 11 verse 30, but Sarai was barren, she had no children.
And then in chapter 12, we see these great promises that are given to Abraham. Get out of your country from your family and from your father's house to a land I will show you, and I will make you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great, and you shall be a blessing. And so Abraham expresses faith in God and goes out and comes to the land of Canaan.
But then in chapter 13, We see this is where Abram actually inherits the land of Canaan. And there's a contrast in 13 between Abram and Lot. We see Abram's generosity. He says, because the livestock are too great for both Lot and Abram to share, so Abram says, Lot, look and take what you wish.
Now Lot should have deferred back to Abram, but he doesn't. He looks with his eyes, and he sees the valleys of Sodom and Gomorrah, the plains of Jordan, and he goes and picks that. So we see Abram's generosity, Lot's wicked choice, but then God gives Abram the land of Canaan at the end of verse 13. And so then we come to Genesis chapter 14.
Now, some of the major themes we see in the life of Abraham are seed and land. And humanly speaking, when we look at God's promises to Abram, they don't look very promising, do they? We see a barren woman. We see inhabitants in the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. and many others as well.
We see Lot potentially looking to take the land, but he chooses something else. But now there's a new obstacle in Genesis 14, and that is war. As one writer says, Abraham continues to face conflicts and temptations that test his faith in God's promises for this land. But you see, Genesis 14 is very much placed in its proper spot.
Abram dwells, finally inherits the land at the end of 13, and then something of international importance sweeps past Abram's tent. And the primary question that the author wants us to think about as we go through the text is this. Who is the king? Or perhaps we could ask, who is the possessor of heaven and earth?
Who is the one who reigns supreme? That is what the author wants us to answer or wants us to see. So we're going to seek to answer that question, who is the king, under three main headings. First of all, we're going to look at the battle of the surrounding nations, verses 1 through 12.
Secondly, the bravery of Abram in verses 13 through 16. And lastly, the blessing of Melchizedek in verses 17 through 24. So the battle, bravery, and blessing.
Battle of the Surrounding Nations
So let us first look then at the battle of the surrounding nations.
Setting and Cause of the Battle
Notice the setting of the battle in verses 1 through 4. And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar, and the other kings, focusing on Keterleomer, there's lots of names there to mention several times, but that they made war with Bera, king of Sodom, Bersha, king of Gomorrah, and the other kings who were with them. So we see that it's the primary king is Kedorlaomer. We see we know that from verse 4. 12 years they served Kedorlaomer and in the 13th year they rebelled.
So the reason that Kedorlaomer makes war with these kings is because these weaker kingdoms, if you will, of Sodom and Gomorrah Typically, we're supposed to pay tribute. We're supposed to give honor to Kedar Leomor as the supreme king. They rebel against him, and thus Kedar Leomor goes to teach them a lesson about who is the king of the known world at this time. Now, if you're reading your Bibles, and perhaps you never noticed as I didn't until I read the commentaries, this is the first mention of war in scripture.
This is the first mention of a battle in the Bible. In a lot of ways, it is World War I according to the biblical writers. And perhaps there is an increase or a further intensification of the Tower of Babel. In fact, We saw one of the kings was the king of Shinar, and in verse 2 of Genesis 11, And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and dwelt there.
What do they do at Babel? They try to find equality with God. Now, so God spreads them, God scatters them about the world. Now these ones who they scatter and must find are seeking to gain territory, are seeking to have dominion over the known world.
So it's Kedor and his band of kings versus Berah, namely Sodom, and his kings. But now, one thing we can see here with the names of the kings that will come to play when we talk about Melchizedek is the names of Sodom and Gomorrah. Berah and Bershah. The king of wickedness is Berah, and the king of evil is Berah, and the king of wickedness is Bershah.
And in chapter 13 of Genesis, we see a description of Sodom. Verse 13, but the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord. In a lot of ways, we're foreshadowing Genesis 19, when God would bring judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah. But nonetheless, in the setting here, we see the battle between Keter, Laomer, and Sodom at the Valley of Sidim, which is the Salt Sea.
And the reason for this is because these ones who were supposed to be subject to Keterlehomer are rebelling against him. Now, perhaps we could see something very interesting as well as we think about Lot. In a lot of ways, these are the Lot narratives as we go from 13 to 19. But there's that in-between of the covenants made with Abram in Genesis 15 through 17.
But you see, when Lot chose to go dwell in the plains of the Jordan, he dwelt in Zor. It's not quite Sodom. But then, so he, sorry, not quite Sodom, but nonetheless, he saw it with his eyes and saw this place that is lush. But then we see that this place that is lush has become a war zone, a place of battle, a place of strife.
So there is a connection between chapter 13. It's placed here for a reason. So that's verses one through four, the setting. of the battle.
Kedorlaomer's Might and Rising Action
Then we kind of see this interlude in verses 5 through 7, not even interlude, but further description of Kedorlaomer's might, of Kedorlaomer's power, because it goes on to describe all these other men that he overtook, the Rephaim, the Zuzim, the Emim, and the Horites in their mountain as far as Sir. What's the author trying to highlight for us? You see, the Rephaim, the Susim, and these others were mighty warriors. So in a lot of ways, the writer is giving us rising action.
In a lot of ways, he's showing us the might of Kedorlaomer. Humanly speaking, Kedorlaomer is the one who rules the world today. so to speak, humanly speaking. He is the one who has might. He is the one who has power.
So how is it that we're going to deal with Kedor Laomer? It's the focus on the rising action, the power and the ferocity of this one, of Kedor Laomer. He is mighty. He is powerful.
He's not some king that you mess with. If you rebel against him, he is going to crush you quickly and efficiently. And so that's the point of verses five through seven. It's showing us how Keterlehimer is mighty, is powerful, is someone you don't want to mess with.
The Battle's Outcome and Lot's Capture
And so then we return to the battle in verses eight through 12, and notice what happens. It just further, it re-describes for us who the kings are. Kings of Sodom versus Keterlehimer at the Valley of Sidim, the Dead Sea, which is the Dead Sea. Four against five of them.
And then notice what happens in verse 10. Now, the valley of Sidim was full of asphalt pits, and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled. See, their fleeing implies that Kedorlaomer is routing them. Perhaps they walked into the battle and realized how strong he was, and perhaps turned around right away.
It doesn't say that. Or perhaps they were being routed, and so these guys wanted to get away from the might of Kedorlaomer. And so they flee, they run, but nonetheless they still meet these asphalt pits. They fall into these pits that were primarily used for concrete.
And perhaps we see God's providence in this. We see God's working in this. He's the one over all things. And as we'll see very soon, the Lord is not mentioned in this text until verse 18.
The Lord is not mentioned until Melchizedek comes on the scene, but nonetheless, we see he is still the one operating over all things, and even here we see that Kedorlaomer routes Sodom and Gomorrah, and verse 11, they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their provisions and went their way. See, the point again isn't so much the battle, but the strength and might of this one king. Who is this one? Who is the king?
Right now it's looking like Kedor Laomer. But notice further information as well in verse 12. They also took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed." You see, as I was explaining before, in 13, Lot dwelled in Zor. In 14, Lot now dwells in Sodom.
And what it highlights for us is usually when one enters into sin, the heinous sins don't happen overnight, do they? It's perhaps akin to what our brother said on Sunday mornings. Peter's three naps preceded his three denials. So Lot's wicked choice in verse 13 preceded certainly preceded his dwelling in Sodom and Gomorrah, but also even further preceded his depravity with respect to his daughters at the end of 19.
Lot's wicked choice here precedes all those other things. He dwells in Sodom. He dwells in there, but we even see here that the fact that he is taken is going to incite Abram to come and help, Abram to come and engage in battle. But the focal point certainly is Keter-Elam, or that's one aspect, but it's also the fact that Lot has been taken by this mighty king.
Lot has been taken by this powerful one. So what we see here then, in a lot of ways, both with, from Babel to war, and with Lot to Sodom, we see the aggressive and progressive nature of sin, don't we? You know, sin, in the Christian life, as we progress forward, by God's grace and mercy, when we talk about backsliding, it's not as though we're just sitting there. It's not as though we're just standing there.
It's like the river. We need to be swimming upriver. As soon as we stop, we're going to be floating back down that river. But we see here, even here, these men, the aggressive nature.
As one brother says, this is the first time war is mentioned in the Bible. Tribes and nations now war against each other, which is an intensification of sin and confusion from Babel. These ones who were once united are now battling against one another for dominion over the earth. We see the wickedness of sin, we see the power of sin, but nonetheless there is still one who is more powerful.
So that's the battle of the surrounding nations.
Bravery of Abram
Let us look secondly at the bravery of Abram in verses 13 through 16. Notice what he says in verse 13. Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, for he dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshkol and brother of Aner, and they were allies with Abram. You see, unlike Lot who's moving from Zohar to Sodom, Abram is still dwelling where he should be dwelling.
He's still living in the place that is his home, the place that he inherited in verse 18 of chapter 3. Then Abram moved his tent and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the Lord. But in chapter 14, verse 13, he's still dwelling there. So this one who's escaped, this one who has fled the army, who hasn't fallen into one of these pits, comes to Abram and tells him all that happens.
But notice something very interesting as well. Not only does Abram dwell at the terebinth trees, but he's called the Hebrew. The ethnicity is, and he's given an ethnic designation apart from the other peoples in the land. He is the Hebrew and he dwells by the terebinth trees, the place that God gave to him.
And notice we see even here, that he makes a treaty with these, the Amorites, or Mamre the Amorite, and Eshcol and Einar, that's what, then, they were allies means, it's a treaty. But then notice what happens when he hears,
Abram's Faith-Driven Response
notice his response in verse 14, when he hears that his nephew has been captured. Now, when Abram heard that his brother was taken, he armed his 318 trained servants. You see, perhaps you and I would go, you know what? Lot made his wicked choice.
And now he's facing the consequences for his actions. But in Abram, there is no hesitation. He gathers these men for war. 318 trained servants. And even the fact that he has 318 trained servants born in his house highlights the wealth that God has blessed him with.
But even then, 318 might seem like a lot, but humanly speaking, it's no match for four kings. In a lot of ways, it's one king, Abram, versus four kings. So who would win? So in a lot of ways, we see an exhibition of Abram's faith.
My brother, my nephew's been taken, I'm going. And so what does he do? He raises these ones for battle and they go in pursuit as far as Dan. Now, when you think about where the battle actually was, that's at the Dead Sea.
Now, you know where Dan is, right? We use the saying from Dan to Beersheba to describe the length or the totality of something. You see, Dan was the northernmost part of Israel. The Salt Sea is the southernmost part of Israel.
That means Keter Lamer has already got a good head start on him, so they have to pursue them in a long distance. In a lot of ways, with the whole writing, the whole text, the whole narrative, it's like the writers stacking the deck against Abram. In a lot of ways, against God. 318 versus four kings and their armies. They have to go as far as Dan.
They would be tired and weary and even go as far as Damascus. So
Abram's Military Tactics and Victory
notice then what happens in verse 15. He divided his forces against them by night. And he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobo, which is north of Damascus. So they even engage in military tactics.
They even plan out what they must do. Certainly God is with him, God aids him, God helps him, but nonetheless, they still engage in military planning. They attack at night, because it would be better, and they divide their forces to take them out. But then notice, the result in verse 16.
So he brought back all the goods and also brought back his brother-in-law and his goods as well as the woman and the people. You know, in this whole narrative, we don't really see a lot of battling, do we? We don't actually see a lot of descriptions of the warfare. It's usually they go to battle and one guy wins.
And that was the case with Keter Lamer over Sodom and Gomorrah. It's the case here with Abram over Keter Lamer. They just go to battle, they defeat them, and they come back with the goods. He brings back all the goods and also brought back his brother-in-law and his goods, as well as the woman and the people.
You see, certainly the goods are important, but even here, the fact that the people are brought back as well. There is brutality in ancient Near Eastern warfare. These people would have been slaves. They would have served these kings.
They would have been treated like nothing. So we see the fact that the multitude at which Abram saved these people. And even here we see two instances where Lot's welfare is restored because of Abram. Here with war, and we'll see later with Sodom as well, but that's a bit of foreshadowing.
But nothing about the battle, only that Abram succeeded. In a lot of ways here, we do see the faith of Abram in the midst of certain defeat, don't we? We see the faith of Abram even as he grows more and more in his faith. Because there are some instances where he doesn't seem to have a lot of faith, does he?
You know, God has just given him the promises that he would make him a great nation in Genesis 12, and then he goes into Egypt. And then he does that deceitful thing, saying that his wife would probably be killed. So he lacks a bit of faith as he leaves the Promised Land, yet God still blesses him. God still protects him.
God still delivers him. Then in 13, we see an increase of faith. in the fact that he says, Lot, you pick. God is the one who will give me this land. He trusts in God to help him.
And then even here, he's willing to go to death for the sake of Lot, even perhaps putting in jeopardy the promises of God, but nonetheless he trusts in his God to help him and strengthen him, knowing that the promises that God gave to him in Genesis 12 are sure. And perhaps he used a lot of the ways in which God delivered him as a reminder of God's goodness to him. God delivered him from Egypt. God, as well, gave him the land of Canaan in verse 13.
And even here, he knows that God will protect him. God aids him. God still helps him. And so we see here, Abram remembered God's promises even through these trials, which is, in a lot of ways, contrasting with Lot.
It's a comparison and contrast with what Lot does versus what Abram does. Abram looks by faith, not by sight, as Lot did. So Abram looks by faith. We see the strength of our dear forefather Abram as he looks to his God for strength and aid.
By no means is Abram perfect, but nonetheless, he is that Old Testament figure who is the epitome of faith, looking to his God, certainly in saving faith, but trusting in his God daily. So we see that in the midst of this great battle. So that's the bravery of Abram.
Blessing of Melchizedek
Let us look lastly then at the blessing of Melchizedek in verses 17 through 24. I think 17, I know in the New King James it splits up 17 and 18, I think 17 should go with verses 18 through 24. Because the writer is going to contrast some kings here. He's going to contrast the king of Sodom's response to Abram's victory with Melchizedek's response to Abram's victory.
So notice in 17, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh, that is, the king's valley, after his return from the defeat of Keterlehemor, and the kings who were with him. But, you know, we see here the introduction to Sodom. Sodom is going to speak in verses 21-22, but we see he comes empty-handed. You know, he should have known better.
You know, the greater king is supposed to receive tribute from the lesser king, but Sodom doesn't bring anything. And as we'll see in 21 through 24, he makes an unrighteous demand at the hands of Abram. He comes empty-handed with his posse, doesn't pay tribute when he actually should do that. But notice the contrast with Sodom and Melchizedek.
Then Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine. He was the priest of the God Most High. Now, remember I talked about how the king of Sodom and Gomorrah were wickedness and evil. Well, Melchizedek is king of righteousness.
That's what his name means. And not only does it highlight how he's a righteous king, but he's also king of Salem, that is, the king of peace. Perhaps it's near Jerusalem. He brings out bread and wine.
He actually brings out something for these wearied and famished men who just engaged in battle. And bread and wine is probably a shorthand for describing a royal banquet. You know, perhaps akin to when the troops will return for battle and there's a great banquet celebrating their victory. In this instance, Melchizedek brings out bread and wine as physical blessings for these wearied soldiers.
And so we see with Melchizedek, we see a priest who brings out bread and wine, who acknowledges God, whereas Sodom wants reward from the kings of the world. So there's a comparison between the two. But notice how Melchizedek is called the priest of God Most High. This is the first time God is mentioned in the text.
This is the first time God is found in the text, and God Most High will be repeated several times in these following verses. And notice he was a priest after the God Most High, that is, he acted on behalf of the people to God. There's a significance of that we'll talk about in just a moment, but he's called God Most High. And notice what he does in 19.
He blesses Abram and he says, You see, there is a significance with this word God Most High, El Elion. It signifies that God is the one who is exalted high above everything. God is the one who is exalted high above every king. So if we're answering that question, who is the king?
It is God Most High who reigns supreme over all the other kingdoms of the earth. Kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall, but God is the God Most High. And in a lot of ways, this term, El Elyon, God Most High, is used with respect to God as sovereign over all. Psalm chapter 7.
Psalm chapter 7, verse 17. I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness. I will sing praises to the name of the Lord Most High. And it comes in the context of God delivering His people from their enemies.
He is sovereign over all things. We can even see that in Daniel chapter 7, verse 25, when he prophesies about those four beasts, those four kingdoms. And he describes God as what? God Most High.
He is King over all. And there are other places as well where God is described as God Most High. So you see the importance of why we have this narrative. Who is the King over all?
It is God Most High. And Melchizedek recognizes this. He knows this, which is why he blesses Abraham, gives glory to the God who should receive glory. God Most High.
And even further, possessor of heaven and earth. The pagan gods did not possess heaven and earth. And perhaps even here, as Calvin highlights, he's distinguishing God Most High from the god of pagans. As the maker, he has the right to dispose of all things.
He is God Most High, and as verse 20 says, who has delivered your enemies into your hand. Who is the true King? King is mentioned 28 times in this chapter. That is the focus.
That is the point. That is why these narratives go together. While they're seemingly confusing, when you think through it and look about what the writer is doing, it's highlighting who reigns supreme overall. They're mentioned 28 times.
There are five kings in Canaan. There are four in the surrounding cities with Keter, Lamar, and Mesopotamia. There's Abram, who acts kind of like a king. There's Melchizedek, and then there's God as well.
So it's important in light of these political leaders vying for power. God is the one. God is the one who reigns supreme. And Melchizedek and Abram both believe in the same God who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
And notice Abram's response in verse 20. And he gave him a tithe of all. That is Abram gave Melchizedek a tithe of all. You see, Abram recognizes that God is the superior king.
And Abram is giving tithe and tribute to God Most High. And in an interesting sort of way, he does it from the plunder that he's taken. Kedorlaomer and Sodom are giving tithe to God Most High. They are giving tribute to the true and the living God.
But it's Abram who gives tithe with the plunder that he's taken from them. But there's something very important we must understand with respect to this tithe.
Melchizedek as Type of Christ
And I think the writer to the Hebrews explains this well for us in Hebrews chapter 7, verses 10 and 11. Hebrews chapter 7 verses 10 and 11, or even at verse 9. Even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood, what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek and not be called according to the order of Aaron?
What's he saying here? He's saying the priesthood of Levi through Abraham is giving tithe to Melchizedek. The imperfect priesthood of Levi is giving tithe to the perpetual priesthood of Melchizedek. Melchizedek, brothers and sisters, is a type of the coming Christ.
He is the one that Abram is pointing forward to, that perpetual priesthood, that eternal priesthood. And so, in a lot of ways, In a lot of ways, Melchizedek is a Christ-like figure. But you see, the writer in Genesis, the way he highlights that for us is he does not give Melchizedek a genealogy. You see, in the book of Genesis, we see many genealogies.
We see many lineages. Abram begot so-and-so. Abram, well, we'll see Abram begot so-and-so. Or Terah begot so-and-so.
But with Melchizedek, a major figure, we don't see that. And the writer to the Hebrews explains that for us as well in 7 verses 1 through 3. For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham gave a tenth, part of all first being translated king of righteousness, then also king of Salem, meaning king of peace, without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the sons of God, remains a priest continually. So it's not as though Melchizedek was not an actual man.
But what the writer is trying to highlight is Melchizedek is kind of an eternal figure, isn't he? He's a Christ-like figure. He has no beginning. He has no end.
That is what the writer is trying to highlight for us in Genesis chapter 14. And then what the writer to the Hebrews then interprets for us in Hebrews chapter 7. be. That's why he has no father and no mother, no genealogy, neither beginning of days nor end of life. And as the writer of the Hebrews goes on to explain, he quotes Psalm 110, the Lord has sworn, I will not relent, you are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
So you see, even Abram here is giving tithe to the true king. Abram here is giving tithe to the greatest king, who is the king, it is God Most High. And not only is it God Most High, it is Christ Almighty, the priest after the order of Melchizedek. That's the climax, brothers and sisters.
Sodom's Wicked Response
But then in verses 21 through 24, we kind of see an anti-climax, if you will. We see a Sodom's wicked response. Verse 21. Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, give me the persons and take the goods for yourself. he should be giving tribute to the true and living God.
He should be recognizing who the true and living God is, but it's not his authority to even request this demand. For in this instance, Abram is the one who is over him. But notice Abram's response in verse 22. But Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, repeating what Melchizedek said, that I will take nothing from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, I have made Abram.
So he repeats the fact that he swears, actually, when he says, I've raised my hand, he's making an oath. I have sworn by the Lord Most High that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal, that is, from the least of the spoil, that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, I have made Abram rich. This is the proper response. He takes nothing.
He recognized that it's the Lord who aided him, not Sodom. He didn't want to be under Sodom, if you will. He wanted to be under God Most High. So that's why he even here leaves the spoils of battle because he does not want to be under Sodom.
This wicked king who asks something out of authority that he does not have to ask. And I think this contrasts with chapter 12 again. Abram goes into Egypt, he lacks faith during that time, he makes this deceitful plan, yet God blesses him. But then we come here, in the spoils of battle, and he leaves the spoils, because it is God who he wishes to have.
It is God who he desires. He wants to glorify his God and not glorify Sodom. So he doesn't take anything except for the portions of the men who are with him, of Einar, Eshkol, and Mamre, let them take their portions. So even though it's an anti-climax, it's still a climax to the fact that he's glorifying God.
He glorifies God in paying tithe to Melchizedek, but he also glorifies God in recognizing that he is under God and not the kings of the world.
Application
So we see here, war cannot thwart the promises of God. And notice what God says to Abram in Genesis 15-1. After these things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.
He finds his reward in God Almighty. And as one writer says, The story actually builds to the climactic recognition of God, unmentioned previously in this scene as the battle's true victor and the subsequent blessing and affirmation of Abraham by the priest King Melchizedek. But in an anti-climax to this tremendous scene of worship, the pagan king of Sodom, speaking disrespectfully to Abraham, tries to assert his non-existent authority and tempt Abraham with plunder. But faithful Abraham, cannot be dissuaded from glorifying God.
God is sovereign over all things, and that's what you and I must take away from this. He reigns supreme. Kingdoms rise and fall, but he is over those kingdoms as well. He is God most high, and he will make his enemies a footstool according to that same Psalm 110.
And we even see here he's faithful to his promises with Abraham. He's faithful to protect Abraham Well, humanly speaking, it doesn't look like the promises of Abraham are going to come true. God is bringing about his promises, for he is faithful, he is sovereign, and he is the one who rules the earth, and he is the one who has dominion over all the earth. But thankfully it's not just in the big things, it's in our lives as well.
He is the one who helps us, and aids us, and strengthens us. Perhaps we have times where we lack faith. Can we not look back in our own lives when God has been faithful, and may that help us, and aid us, increase our faith? Can we not look to the Word of God, where it describes His greatness, it describes His faithfulness, and take courage in these things?
If you're like me, sometimes you read these things, and you go, and something happens, and you forget those things all over again. we constantly need to be reminded of God as sovereign Lord over all. And perhaps we can say with the psalmist, certainly in Psalm 46, a mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing. But also the great words in Psalm 47, Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples. Shout to God with the voice of triumph.
For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is a great king over all the earth. He will subdue the peoples under us and the nations under our feet. He will choose our inheritance for us, the excellence of Jacob, whom he loves.
God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises. Sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth.
Sing praises with understanding. God reigns over the nations. God sits on his holy throne. The princes of the people have gathered together, the people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God. He is greatly exalted. Well, in conclusion, brothers and sisters, who is the king over all the earth? Who possesses heaven and earth?
It is God Most High.
Closing Prayer
Well, let us pray. O Lord God Almighty, we thank you that you are the Lord of heaven and earth. We thank you that you reign supreme over all things. We thank you that you are the possessor of heaven and earth, and your dominion is over all.
May we look to you. May you help us and increase our faith and trust in you, for you are a great and good God. You are God most high. We thank you that you are defeating our enemies.
You are helping us, and aiding us, and strengthening us with our battles with ourself, battles with the world, and battles with the devil. but help us take courage knowing that you will make your enemies a footstool. And we thank you that you do this through the proclamation of the gospel, through the accompanying of that with the Holy Spirit, how the Holy Spirit works in the hearts of your people. We pray that your kingdom would come, O God, and we pray that your gospel would go forth into all the earth, that your name might be proclaimed in all the earth, and that you might be glorified in all things. And we pray these things in the name of Christ.
Amen.